James McDonald picked up the Victoria Derby on Stormy Marco, hear from the beaten brigade.
Jamie Mott (Cormier): “I was happy to get cover today. I happy to get cover and ended up having a good run throughout. Just took him a while to settle. So first time at the trip, pulling for the first 600-metres, probably cost him late.
Billy Egan (True Rebel): “He had a lovely run. He just didn’t stay the distance but it was an honest effort from him.”
Damian Lane (King Snitz): “Disappointing result but not disappointed with the horse. He just went really keen on that muddling tempo which in turn, he didn’t see the trip out as well as required. He’s had big preparation, too. His first racing preparation, he has done a big job.”
Blake Shinn (Murshidi): “Super run. He stayed on well. He endured a bit of a tough run but went super.”
Mark Zahra (Vallice): “He struggled today.”
John Allen (Skua): “Really disappointing. We were forced to work a bit more than ideal early. Once he found the front, he got into a good enough rhythm but he punctured early. Possibly the three week back-up might have caught up with him.”
William Pike (Cignetti): “He jumped better than I wanted him to and we ended up closer than I intended, but we had a nice breather mid-race. I thought I was travelling really well leading into the straight but he didn’t find under pressure.”
Craig Williams (Icy You): “To his credit, he has done an amazing job to finish ninth. He never travelled through the whole race. When you see the result, the second and fourth horses were his form from the Geelong Classic. It will be interesting to see how he comes through the run because he didn’t feel that well when I pulled him up after the contest today.”
Jason Collett (True Tone): “He didn’t settle well enough today to see out the trip.”
Harry Coffey (Written Empire): “He had an interesting run. It was a bit tough. He got keen with horses around him. Made a mid-race move and because of that (he) didn’t stay the trip. Probably next preparation.”
Michael Dee (Russian Rock): “Probably, like many others, he just didn’t get the trip today. He was out on his feet but he’s done a good job.”
Jett Stanley (Cold Shower): “Such gallant run. Credit to Gai, Adrian and the whole team to get him here. We know he’s a true stayer.. Unfortunately one has a turn-of-foot that he doesn’t have. Coming back to the line, he was going closer and closer to getting there. He’s a beautiful stayer and he’s got longevity in his career and hopefully he can keep kicking goals.”
Daniel Stackhouse (King Winston): “He began well but he was just on the bridle too strong the whole race and it just took it out of him.”
Jye McNeil (Quick Finish): “Really proud of her effort. She has come so far this prep and I thought she was really tenacious against the boys at the top level today.”
Jackson Radley (Meet The Prince): “He’s not up to them.”
🌩️ Stormy Marco storms home in the G1 Victoria Derby, and it’s another G1 to team @mcacajamez – @cwallerracing!
@FlemingtonVRC https://t.co/NtC4Zjdhzd
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 31, 2026
